← All eventsDragon Ride L'Etape Wales — Gran Fondo
~215km South Wales road sportive with ~3,400m climbing over the long steady climbs of the Brecon Beacons — Black Mountain, the timed Devil's Elbow (1.8km @ 10.3%), Rhigos and the Bwlch. Route reversed for 2026. Starts near Margam/Port Talbot. The UK's benchmark long sportive.
The UK's benchmark long sportive, and part of the ASO L'Etape family. Around 215km and 3,400m of climbing through the Brecon Beacons and the South Wales valleys, out from Margam in mid-June.
The day is built on long, honest climbs: the exposed moorland drag of Black Mountain, the savage timed ramp of Devil's Elbow, then Rhigos and the Bwlch, Britain's answer to Mont Ventoux.
It is a diesel effort, not a sprint. There are no long flats to hide in, and the two biggest climbs land after 130km, so the rider who paces and fuels beats the one who burns matches early.
Is Dragon Ride L'Etape Wales — Gran Fondo for you?
- Diesel climbers who hold a steady tempo. The long grinds of Rhigos and the Bwlch reward sustained power, not punchy surges.
- Riders with real long-ride durability. The big climbs land after 130km, so the day belongs to legs that can still climb when tired.
- Anyone chasing the UK's benchmark sportive credential. Finish this one well and you have earned a proper long-day badge.
- Riders happy in changeable Welsh weather. The moorland tops are fully exposed, and June here can be warm or cold, wet and windy.
Training plan for Dragon Ride L'Etape Wales — Gran Fondo
A training plan for Dragon Ride L'Etape Wales — Gran Fondo isn't a generic base build. Beina reads the event's exact demands, looks at your specific profile and the time you actually have, and maps a highly adapted plan to the start line.
- Around 215km and 3,400m of climbing, with no long flats to recover on.
- Sustained 15 to 25min climbs on Rhigos and the Bwlch that reward threshold power, not surges.
- The two decisive climbs arrive after 130km, on already-loaded legs.
- Exposed moorland tops and unpredictable June weather to dress for.
- 2x20 sweet spot and 3x15 threshold to build Rhigos and Bwlch length power.
- Long climb repeats: 3 to 4 x 15 to 20min at 85 to 90% FTP on real gradient.
- Big hilly days building to a 6 to 7hr, 2,500 to 2,800m Dragon Ride rehearsal.
- Wet-weather and descent-repeat rides to be ready for Welsh conditions.
- Built from your current fitness and the time you actually have
- Adapts every week as Beina learns how you respond
- Syncs your sessions straight to Garmin and Wahoo
- One clear next session, never a wall of spreadsheet
